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He exhaled a shaky breath through his nostrils as rage—hot, thick, and destructive—flowed through his body. He wanted to leap from his chair and roar, turn over a table, kick something. Anything. Starting with that large French porcelain vase in thecorner. But he didn’t. He couldn’t. Some formalities were too well-ingrained to toss off like an unnecessary jacket. He settled for flexing his hands on the arms of his chair and breathing deeply in an effort to calm down.
No wonder this family was in its current predicament. The only way they could relate to one another was through blackmail and a series of power grabs. Would it ever end? Or would he always be a puppet on a string, subject to his grandmother’s whims? What would she do, who would she use the next time he refused to do her bidding?
Dani?
Fuck no. This was the last time he’d allow himself to be in this position. He had research to conduct, plans to make. In the meantime, he couldn’t let his mother lose the lifestyle she’d earned and the protections she deserved. Jameson’s increased profile meant his father’s scandals were back in the press and his mother was in their crosshairs. It had been terrifying for her the first time around. He’d do whatever it took to protect her.
A fact the queen knew and had been counting on.
Checkmate.
“What do you want me to do?” he pushed out through a jaw clenched so tight he was surprised he hadn’t cracked a molar.
“I...”
Again Jameson thought he detected a... softening?
But she shook her head and lifted her chin. “You will take over the events on Julian’s calendar. Catherine will take his official meetings.”
As the Prince of Wales and heir apparent to the sovereign, Julian was charged with helping Marina in the performance of her duties.
Jameson frowned. Was everything okay with Fiona or werethere complications with the pregnancy? Could Julian actually be taking time off to be with her and Isabella?
“We need to provide a united front,” the queen was saying.
“Is there something going on other than Fi’s pregnancy?”
“Fiona’s fine, but we have the St. Lucia state visit coming up next month and it’s important that everyone acknowledges we’re still a strong ruling family.”
“That’s never been a problem before.”
Her hands fidgeted in her lap. “They haven’t discussed declaring their independence before.”
Oh.“The Commonwealth has had realms declare their independence but remain members.”
The Commonwealth of Nations was a voluntary association of fifty-six countries, once British colonies, that the queen had sought to uphold throughout her reign. Many of them still recognized Marina as their head of state. Including St. Lucia.
“It’s not the same. Independence means they no longer trust my leadership. And the more it happens, the more our people begin to question our usefulness!”
It explained his grandmother’s actions. All around her, the thing she loved the most, the monarchy, was ripping apart at its seams.
Jameson sighed. “Fine. But I’ll attend these events alone. I don’t want Dani involved.”
Per their agreement. Which was looking more prescient as time passed.
“Believe me, I have no intention of involving that woman. This is a family matter, and she isn’t family.”
“Not yet.”
The queen stiffened. “Haven’t you skipped a step? You’re still close enough in the line of succession that you need my formal consent to get married.”
“If that’s your way of asking if I’ve proposed to Dani, the answer is no.”
She released a huge breath. “That would be absurd. You’ve only known each other for two months!”
He narrowed his eyes. “But it’s only an issue of timing, not confusion. Because it will happen. And I won’t require anything from you when the time comes.”
“You will if you expect her to be a part of this family.”
